Solved Paper of HPAS Prelims 2014

1) Name the site where Harappan ploughed eld has been found: 

(a) Harappa

(b) Banawali

(c) Rakhigarhi

(d) Kalibanga

Answer: Kalibanga

2) Who among the following is the author of Milind Panho?

(a) Nagasen

(b) Ashwaghosh

(c) Dharmpal

(d) Devardhi

Answer: Nagasen

3) Name the place where Jaina texts were finnally complied? 

(a) Pawagrah

(b) Kalinga

(c) Sharvanbelgola

(d) Vallabhi

Answer: Vallabhi

4) Find out among the following author of Muasir-i-Alamgiri:

(a) Alberuni

(b) Barni

(c) Mustaid Khan

(d) Sams-i-Siraj

Answer: Mustaid Khan

5) The temples located in the region between the Vindhyas and the Krishna river are known as

(a) Dravid style

(b) Nagar Style

(c) Vakataka Style

(d) Hybrid style

Answer: Hybrid style

6) Which of the following Marathas was given a Manasab of 7000/7000 by Aurangzeb?

(a) Shivaji

(b) Sambhaji

(c) Rajaram

(d) Shahuji

Answer: Shahuji

7) Who abolished Dual Government in Bengal?

(a) Sir John Shore

(b) Lord Curzon

(c) Robert Clive

(d) Warren Hasting

Answer: Warren Hasting

8) Sidhu and Kanhu were associated with which one of the following?

(a) The Kol uprising

(b) The Munda rebellion

(c) The Khasi Rising

(d) The Santhal rebellion

Answer: The Santhal rebellion

9) Match the List I with List II

List 1

(a) Dadabhai Naoroji

(b) Dayanand Sarswati

(c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

(d) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee

List II

(1) Satyarth Prakash

(2) Anand Math

(3) Poverty and Un-British Rule of India

(4) Gita Rahasya

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

 Codes:

1. (a-2),(b-3),(c-4),(d-1)
2. 2. (a-3),(b-1),(c-4),(d-2)
3. (a-3),(b-4),(c-1),(d-2)
4. (a-4),(b-2),(c-1),(d-3)

Answer:  (a-3),(b-1),(c-4),(d-2)

10. 10) Who was the head of the boundary commission which demarcated the boundaries of India and Pakistan?

(a) Redcliffe

(b) McMahon

(c) Simon

(d) None of the above

Answer: Redcliffe

11. 11) What is the local name of shifting cultivation in Malaysia?

(a) Jhum

(b) Kumri

(c) Podu

(d) Ladang

Answer: Ladang

12. 12) Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

       Towns                  Rivers

(A) Ayodhya                Saryu

(B) Surat                      Tapti

(C) Bareilly                  Ganga

(D) Kurnool                 Tungbhadra

Answer: 

13. 13) Tropic of cancer does not pass through

(A) Tripura

(B) Mizoram

(C) Manipur

(D) Chhattisgarh

Answer: Manipur

14. 14) Which is the second most spoken language in India?

(A) Urdu

(B) Hindi

(C) Bengali

(D) Telugu

Answer: Bengali

15. 15) Great Salt Lake is located in:

(A) Australia

(B)Tunisia

(C) Canada

(D) U.S.A.

Answer: Canada

16. 16) Which of the following is the correct order of rivers from north to south?

(A) Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj

(B) Jhelum, Ravi, Chenab, Satluj

(C) Ravi, Jhelum, Chenab, Satluj

(D) Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, Satluj

Answer: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj

17. 17) Which of the following has the lowest sex ratio in India?

(A) Punjab

(B) Haryana

(C) Dadar and Nagar Haveli

(D) Daman and Diu

Answer: Daman and Diu

18. 18) Diego Garcia Island is located in

(A) Pacic Ocean

(B) Atlantic Ocean

(C) Indian Ocean

(D) Arctic Ocean

Answer: Indian Ocean

19. 19) Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(i) Recorded temperature decreases from North to South India

(ii) Rainfall increases from West to East in Northern Plains of India

(A) Only (i)

(B) Only (ii)

(C) Indian Ocean

(D) Neither (i) nor (ii)

Answer: Indian Ocean 

20. 20) Which of the following is the largest coal producer?

(A) China

(B) U.S. A.

(C) India

(D) Australia

Answer: China

21. 21) According to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, which of the following articles of the Indian Constitution was to remain a dead-letter?

(A) Article 360

(B) Article 356

(C) Article 352

(D) Article 32

Answer: Article 356

22. 22) The elected members of the state legislative assembly participate in the elections of

(1) The President of India

(2) The Vice President of India

(3) Members of Rajya Sabha

(4) Member of Legislative Council

(A) (1), (2) and (3)

(B) (1), (3) and (4)

(C) (1), (2) and (4)

(D) (1), (2), (3) and (4)

Answer: (1), (3) and (4)

23. 23) Which of the following are the exclusive committees of Rajya Sabha?

(i) Committee on Subordinate legislation

(ii) Committee on government assurances

(iii) Committee on welfare of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes

(iv) Committee on public undertakings Select the correct answer from the codes given below

(A) (1) and (3)

(B) (1) and (2)

(C) (1), (2) and (3)

(D) All of the above

Answer: (1) and (2)

24. 24) The tenure of the chief election commissioner of India is

(A) Five years

(B) Five years of 65 years of age, whichever is earlier

(C) Six years or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier

(D) Six years or 70 years, whichever is earlier

Answer: Six years or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier

25. 25) Which of the commissions/Committees has recommended that there should be Minister of Panchayati Raj?

(A) Ashok Mehta Committee

(B) L M Singhavi Committee

(C) G V K Rao Committee

(D) Second Administrative Reforms commission

Answer: Ashok Mehta Committee

32. 26) Which of the following amendments to the Indian constitution has made the right of education a fundamental right?

(A) 84th

(B) 86th

(C) 91st

(D) 92nd

Answer: 86th

27. 27) Which of the following statements are correct about the national human right commission?

(i) The National Human Rights Commission is an independent body

(ii) It is not a constitutional body

(iii) It is a statutory body

(iv) It is a multimember body Select the correct answer from the code given below

(A) (i) and (ii)

(B) (i), (ii) and (iii)

(C) (i), (ii) and (iv)

(D) All of the above

Answer: All of the above 

28. 28) What is the correct sequence of the following four stages in the public policy formulation process?

(i) Making policy decisions

(ii) Putting public problems on policy agenda

(iii) Identifying public problems

(iv) Formulating policy proposals to deal with the problem

Select the correct answer from the code given below

(A) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)

(B) (iii), (ii), (iv) and (i)

(C) (i), (iii), (ii) and (iv)

(D) (ii), (iv), (iii) and (i)

Answer: (iii), (ii), (iv) and (i)

29. 29) The responsibility of law and order rests with the police commissioner in the cities of

(i) Chandigarh

(ii) Delhi

(iii) Mumbai

(iv) Kolkata

Select the correct answer from the code given below

(A) (i), (ii), (iii)

(B) (i), (ii), and (iv)

(C) (ii), (iii) and (iv)

(D) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)

Answer: (ii), (iii) and (iv) 

30. 30) Which one of the following functions does not gure in the 11th schedule of the constitution (73rd Amendment)?

(A) Libraries

(B) Cultural activities

(C) Fire services

(D) Family welfare

Answer: Fire services

31. 31) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna was launched on

(A) 15th August, 2014

(B) 1st January, 2015

(C) 26th January, 2015

(D) 28th August 2014

Answer: 28th August 2014

32. 32) Earth Summit 2012 for sustainable development was held in

(A) New Delhi, India

(B) Rio-Di-Janeiro, Brazil

(C) Johannesburg, South Africa

(D) New York, USA

Answer: Rio-Di-Janeiro, Brazil

33. 33) According to Planning Commission estimates for 2011-12 which of the following states have maximum percentage of population below poverty line

(A) Chhattisgarh

(B) Bihar

(C) Jharkhand

(D) Odisha

Answer: Rio-Di-Janeiro, Brazil 

34. 34) The World Investment Report (WIR) is published by

(A) International Monetary Fund

(B) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

(C) General Agreement on Taris and Trade (GATT)

(D) Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Answer: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

35. 35) SEBI was established in the year

(A) 1988

(B) 1990

(C) 1991

(D) 1985

Answer: 1988 

36. 36) NITI in NITI Aayog stands for

(A) National Institution for Transforming India

(B) National Institute of Transforming India

(C) National Initiative for Transforming India

(D) National Institution for Translating India

Answer: National Institution for Transforming India

37. 37) Annual Summit 2015 of BRICS nations will be held in

(A) New Delhi, India

(B) Fortaleza, Brazil

(C) Ufa in Bashkortostan, Russia

(D) Durban, South Africa

Answer: Ufa in Bashkortostan, Russia

38. 38) As per the population census 2011, what is the percentage of urban population in Himachal and India Respectively?

(A) 15.05 and 35.60

(B) 10.03 and 31.16

(C) 10.03 and 35.60

(D) 12.65 and 31.16

Answer: 10.03 and 31.16

39. 39) Recently, the government of India has decided to revise the base year for estimating the GDP from

(A) 2001-02 to 2010-11

(B) 2004-05 to 2013-14

(C) 2004-05 to 2011-12

(D) 2001-02 to 2011-12

Answer: 2004-05 to 2011-12

40. 40) National Sample Survey Office was established in the year:

(A) 1950

(B) 1951

(C) 1947

(D) 1948

Answer: 1950

41. 41) How many biosphere reserves are there in India?

(A)12

(B) 18

(C) 26

(D) 32

Answer: 18

42. 42) The UN Convention on Biodiversity was ratified by the Indian government in the year

(A) 1992

(B) 1993

(C) 1994

(D) 1997

Answer: 1994

43. 43) Apart from Carbon-dioxide, which of the following gases also have a role in climate change?

(A)Methane

(B) Nitrogen Dioxide

(C) Sulphur Dioxide

(D) Helium

Answer: Methane

44. 44) At present, which country is the maximum emitter of Carbon-dioxide?

(A)USA

(B) China

(C) Russia

(D) France

Answer: China

45. 45) As per the IPCC 4th Assessment Report, the average sea level during the period 1961-2003 increased approximately at the rate of

(A) 1.8 cm per year

(B) 5.9mm per year

(C) 4.1mm per year

(D) 1.8mm per year

Answer: 1.8mm per year

46. 46) In India, the forest cover percentage of the total geographical area of the country is appox.

(A) 18%

(B) 29%

(C) 21%

(D) 31%

Answer: 21%

47. 47) Driving force for an eco-system is
    (A) Solar energy
48. (B) Vegetation
49. (C) Producers
50. (D) Bio-Mass
51. Answer: Solar energy

48. 48) Which of the following has the maximum bio-diversity?
    (A) Mangroves
49. (B) Corel reefs
50. (C) Temperature regions
51. (D) Tropical regions
52. Answer: Tropical regions

49. 49) At present, the primary energy source in the world is
    (A) Hydro power
50. (B) Fossil fuels
51. (C) Nuclear power
52. (D) Solar power
53. Answer: Fossil Fuels

50. 50) World Ozone day is celebrated on
51. (A) June 19th
52. (B) August 19^th
53. (C) September 16th
54. (D) November 19^th
55. Answer: September 16th

51. 51) The world’s largest highest ground based telescopic observatory is located in:

(A) Colombia

(B) India

(C) Nepal

(D) Switzerland

Answer: India

52. 52) The hormone insulin is a:

(A) Glycolipid

(B) Fatty acid

(C) Peptide

(D) Sterol

Answer: Peptide

53. 53) The sensation of fatigue in the muscle after prolonged strenuous physical work is caused by:

(A) A decrease in the supply of oxygen

(B) Minor wear and tear of muscles bres

(C) The depletion of glucose

(D) The accumulation of lactic acid

Answer: The accumulation of lactic acid

54. 54) Which of the following agriculture practices is eco-friendly?

(A) Organic farming

(B) Shifting cultivation

(C) Cultivation of high yielding

(D) Growing plants in glass-houses

Answer: Organic farming

55. 55) According to the Wealth Health Organization, the decease which causes the death of the largest number of people today is:

(A) AIDS

(B) Tuberculosis

(C) Malaria

(D) Ebola

 Answer: 

 56) The normal temperature of human body in Kelvin scale is:

(A) 280

(B) 290

(C) 300

(D) 310

Answer: 310

57. 57) The only snake that builds a nest is:

(A) Chain viper

(B) King Cobra

(C) Krait

(D) Saw-scaled viper

Answer: King Cobra

58. 58) Which of the following does not contain silver?

(A) Horn Silver

(B) German Silver

(C) Ruby Silver

(D) Lunar Silver

Answer: German Silver

59. 59) Aluminum surfaces are often ‘anodized’ this means the deposition of a layer of:

(A) Chromium Oxide

(B) Aluminum Oxide

(C) Nickel Oxide

(D) Zinc Oxide

Answer: Aluminum Oxide

60. 60)Which one of the following polymers is widely used for making bullet proof material?

(A) Polyvinyl chloride

(B) Polyamides

(C) Polyethylene

(D) Polycarbonates

Answer: Polycarbonates

63. 61) When a CD (compact disc used in audio and video systems) is seen in sunlight, rainbow like colours are seen. This can be explained on the basis of the phenomenon of:

(A) Reflection and diffraction

(B) Reflection and transmission

(C) Diffraction and transmission

(D) Refraction, direction and transmission

Answer: Refraction, direction and transmission

62. 62) Which one of the following does a TV remote control unit to use to operate a TV set?

(A) Light Waves

(B) Sound Waves

(C) Micro Waves

(D) Radio Waves

63. 63) The working principle of a washing machine is:

(A) Centrifugation

(B) Dialysis

(C) Reverse osmosis

(D) Diusion

Answer: Centrifugation

67. 64) A fuse is used in main electric supply as safety devices. Which one of the following statements about the fuse is correct?

(A) It is connected in parallel with the main switch

(B) It is made mainly from silver alloys

(C) It must have a low melting point

(D) It must have a very high resistance

Answer: It must have a low melting point

65. 65) A simple machine helps a person in doing:

(A) Less Work

(B) The same amount of work with lesser force

(C) The same amount of work slowly

(D) The same amount of work much faster

Answer: The same amount of work slowly

66. 66) Domestic electrical wiring is basically a:

(A) Series connection

(B) Parallel connection

(C) Combination of series and parallel connection

(D) Series connection within each room and parallel connection elsewhere

Answer: Parallel connection

67. 67) The most widely used antacid is:

(A) Cetrizine

(B) Iproniazid

(C) Chlorpheniramine

(D) Zantac

Answer: Zantac

68. 68) Which of the following drugs reduces fever?

(A) Analgesic

(B) Antipyretic

(C) Antibiotic

(D) Tranquilizer

Answer: Antipyretic 

69. 69) The latitude that passes through Sikkim also passes through

(A) Himachal Pradesh

(B) Jammu and Kashmir

(C) Rajasthan

(D) Bihar

Answer: Rajasthan

70. 70) Which of the following peaks are in Himachal Pradesh?

(i) Abi gamin

(ii) Reo-Purjil

(iii) Rangrik Range

(iv) Gya’

Choose the correct answer:

(A) only (iv)

(B) only (i)

(C) NOTA

(D) All of the above

Answer: All of the above

71. 71) Which of the following is/are treated as artificial currency?

(A) ADR

(B) SDR

(C) GDR

(D) Both ADR and GDR

Answer: SDR 

72. 72) Disguised unemployment generally means:

(A) Large number of people remains unemployed

(B) Alternative employment is not available

(C) Marginal productivity is zero

(D) Productivity of worker is low

Answer: Marginal productivity is zero

73. 73) In India, which of the following have the highest share in the disbursement of credit to agriculture and allied activities?

(A) Commercial Banks

(B) Micro Finance Institutions

(C) Regional Rural Banks

(D) Co-operative Banks

Answer: Commercial Banks

74. 74) Mars Orbitor Mission is called:

(A) Pushpyan

(B) Spaceyan

(C) Mangalyan

(D) Missionyan

Answer: Mangalyan

75. 75) Almost all major oil produces including Saudi Arabian have become dependent on high prices, with break-even level usually over $90 per barrel to meet their scale obligations. Consider the following can be termed as explanation for the present decline in oil prices?
    (i) The world markets are flush with supplies for which there are not enough consumers.

(ii) The global economic slowdown is the principal culprit: with China’s national growth projected at around 7% per year, increase in oil demand is negligible

(iii) Europe is also not expected to contribute to increased demand due to its sluggish growth.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) (i)

(B) (ii)

(C) Both (i) and (ii)

(D) All of the above

Answer: All of the above

76. 76) Modi Government re-launched the Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) investment scheme to top house hold saving for funding infrastructure development in the country. Consider the following statements about this and pick the correct statement:

(i) The saving instrument will be available in the denomination of Rs. 1000, Rs 5000, Rs 10,000 and Rs. 50,000.

(ii) There will be no upper ceiling on investment.

(iii) No tax benefits would be available on this investment

(A) (i)

(B) (ii)

(C) (i) and (iii) only

(D) All of the above

Answer: All of the above

77. 77) Based upon the relations between India and Pakistan, Khurshid M. Kasuri, the Ex-foreign Minister of Pakistan has recently penned down a book. What is the title of the book?
    (A) India-Pakistan in War and Peace

(B) Neither a Hawk nor a Dove

(C) The Origins of War in South Asia: The Indo-Pakistan Conflicts Since 1947

(D) India and Pakistan: A Political Analysis

Answer: Neither a Hawk nor a Dove

78. 78) Shanta Kumar Committee has submitted its report on restructuring of Food Corporation of India (FCI) to Mr. Modi. Read the following recommendations and find the incorrect ones:
    (i) FCI Procurement should focus on the Western belt, where farmers get the minimum support price.

(ii) FCI should hand over the procurement of Wheat and Rice to four states which include Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

(iii) Proposed uniform tax of minimum 3% and maximum 4% on Wheat and Rice and the same to be included in the minimum support price.

(A) (i) and (ii)

(B) (i) and (iii)

(C) (ii) and (iii)

(D) NOTA

Answer: (i) and (ii)

83. 79) Read the following statements regarding the recently released NTCA report on the status of tigers in India, 2014.
    Find out the incorrect ones:

(i) The report showed a 30% increase in tiger population to 2226 from 1706 in 2010.

(ii) The largest increase was recorded in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Tamil Nadu.

(iii) The Mudumalai-Bandipur-Nagarhole-Wayarad Complex hold the world’s largest tiger population currently estimated at over 570 tigers.

(A) (i) and (ii)

(B) (ii) and (iii)

(C) (iii) only

(D) NOTA

Answer: NOTA

80. 80) India has recently signed an agreement on transfer of sentenced persons with the Hong-Kong special administrative region. Which among the following statements is/are correct ones in this regard?

(i) The agreement will mostly apply to Hong-Kong prisoners.

(ii) Most of the Indian Prisoners have been jailed for serious crimes like drug dealing.

(iii) India has similar agreement with several other countries but none with Mainland China.

(A) (i)

(B) (ii)

(C) (iii)

(D) All of the above

Answer: (iii)

81. 81) Who among the following translated Kalhana’s Rajatarangini into English?
    (A) Sir Alexander Cunningham

(B) Sir Aurel Stein

(C) Jonaraja

(D) Sirivara

Answer: Sir Aurel Stein 

82. 82) What is the script of the earliest epigraphical rock inscriptions at Pathyar and Kanhiyara in Kangra?
    (A) Brahmi and Tankri

(B) Kharoshthi and Tankri

(C) Brahmi and Kharoshthi

(D) Kharoshthi and Persian

Answer: Brahmi and Kharoshthi 

83. 83) Which Mughal ruler is said to have given the title of ‘Mian’ to the Rajput princes of Punjab Hill states who were held hostages in the royal court?
    (A) Akbar
84. (B) Jahangir
85. (C) Shah Jahan
86. (D) Aurangzeb
87. Answer: Jahangir 

84. 84) Ruler of which of the following hill states were from a common ancestor?
    (A) Mandi, Mangal and Bhajji
85. (B) Suket, Mandi and Bhagal
86. (C) Mandi, Suket and Keonthal
87. (D) Keonthal, Suket and Jubbal
88. Answer: Mandi, Suket and Keonthal

85. 85) Which Raja of Spiti invaded Kullu and made it a tributary?
    (A) Samudra Sena
86. (B) Chet Sena
87. (C) Hemat Sena
88. (D) Rajendra Sena
89. Answer: Rajendra Sena 

86. 86) The Raja of Bushahar princely state was assisted by three hereditary Wazir families. One of them was Kohal. Where did it come from?
    (A) Kullu
87. (B) Garhwal
88. (C) Kinnaur
89. (D) Jubbal
90. Answer: Garhwal

87. 87) When was the Department of Public Relations created in Himachal Pradesh?
    (A) 1951
88. (B) 1952
89. (C) 1954
90. (D) 1956
91. Answer: 1954

88. 88) In which district of HP is Saryanj Sarma watershed project?
    (A) Una
89. (B) Sirmaur
90. (C) Bilaspur
91. (D) Solan
92.  Answer: Solan

89. 89) When was ‘Beti Hai Anmol’ Yojna launched in Himachal Pradesh?
    (A) January 2009
90. (B) July 2010
91. (C) October 2011
92. (D) December 2012
93. Answer: July 2010 

90. 90) Which Raja of Mandi gave the Shivratri Fair the form of a cultural festival?
    (A) Suraj Sen
91. (B) Bahu Sen
92. (C) Bir Sen
93. (D) Ban Sen
94. Answer: Suraj Sen

91. 91) Find the mismatch in the following pairs:
    (A) Tieun Dhar – Chamba
92. (B) Jakh Dhar – Hamirpur
93. (C) Haripur Dhar – Sirmaur
94. (D) Sanjhi Dhar – Shimla
95. Answer: Tieun Dhar – Chamba 

92. 92) What is Shingni-Mingni?
93. (A) a variety of fish
94. (B) a herbal-medicinal plant
95. (C) a folk dance of Kinnaur
96. (D) a folk song popular in Sirmaur
97. Answer: a herbal-medicinal plant 

93. 93) Who started the Ice-Skating Rink at Shimla around 1920?
    (A) Peter Ta-Tung
94. (B) Blessington
95. (C) Daniel Wilson
96. (D) William Hay
97. Answer: Blessington

94. 94) In which district of HP is Yunam-so Lake?
95. (A) Lahaul-Spiti
96. (B) Kinnaur
97. (C) Chamba
98. (D) Kullu
99. Answer: Lahaul-Spiti

95. 95) When did the number of members in the HP Vidhan Sabha increase from 36 to 41?
96. (A) 1971
97. (B) 1967
98. (C) 1963
99. (D) 1954
100. Answer: 1954

96. 96) Which one of the following is a Pagoda style temple in HP?
    (A) Hateshwari Devi in Jubbal Valley
97. (B) Hidimba Temple in Manali Valley
98. (C) Lakshna Devi in Bharmaur
99. (D) Shakti Devi in Chhatrari
100. Answer: Hidimba Temple in Manali Valley 

97. 97) Which district of HP occupies top position in the production of ginger?
98. (A) Sirmaur
99. (B) Bilaspur
100. (C) Una
101. (D) Mandi
102. Answer: Sirmaur 

98. 98) Identify the correct order of density of population among the following districts of HP according to 2011 census data (in descending order):
99. (A) Bilaspur, Una, Solan, Mandi
100. (B) Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi
101. (C) Una, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan
102. (D) Bilaspur, Solan, Una, Mandi
103. Answer: Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi 

99. 99) What was the annual growth rate in the economy of Himahcal Pradesh during the 2012-13 scal?
100. (A) 5.7
101. (B) 5.8
102. (C) 6.1
103. (D) 6.6
104. Answer: 6.1

100. 100) Polworth, Corriedole, Blackpace and Bingi are varities:
101. (A) Vegetables
102. (B) Spices
103. (C) Sheep
104. (D) Bualoes
105. Answer: Sheep